Mv igh 117 nov15

in good

Meet Your Doctor

November 2015 • Issue 117 MVhealthnews.com

Dr. Nicholas Qandah See Page 4

free

Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Will you get Alzheimer’s?

No cure, but there are ways to possibly stave off its devastating consequences See Page 9

Golden Years Special Edition Ready for best-ever holidays?

See Page 11

Can scientists live on potatoes alone?

See Page 12

Page 7 — You can control aging process Page 8 — Rebuilt cycle gives senior new hope

See Page 14

Sweet Success!

Why you should eat more leeks

Read the SmartBites column

Veteran’s Outreach Center expands services

New hospital in planning stages See Page 5 November 2015 •

Young child receives life-saving transplant

See Page 12 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Mondays

Support group for OCD sufferers The Central New York Obsessive

Compulsive Foundation, Inc., a registered nonprofit agency, has offered OCD sufferers in the region a weekly support group since 1997.

Brian’s OCD Support Group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday except holidays in the Sister

Senior Citizens:

Can’t see or reach to cut your toenails?

Get Ready for the Holidays In home manicures & pedicures $25

Call Sharon at 315-735-4521

Regina Conference Room, first floor, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, 2209 Genesee St., Utica.

Meetings are professionally assisted the third Monday of each month.

For more information, call founder Susan Connell at 315-768-7031, email her at info@cnyocf.org, visit www.cnyocf.org or check out Cen NY OCD Support Group on Facebook.

A speakers’ bureau is available at no cost.

Women’s support group to get together A women’s support/therapy group is meeting weekly from 5:30-7 p.m. Mondays.

Groups will be held in a confidential location in New Hartford and group size will be limited to protect anonymity.

Topics of discussion may include family issues, stress, anger, relationships, grief, and more.

Clinical therapist Cynthia Davis, who has over 20 years of experience, will lead the group.

To pre-register, contact Davis at 315-736-1231, 315-794-2454 or email cindycsw@yahoo.com

Tuesdays

Insight House offers family support group

Martin Morell, MD 4401 Middlesettlement Road New Hartford NY 13413 315-724-5353 tele 315-724-5255 fax

Creaky Joints fixed here Community Information Seminar:

Bariatric Surgery

November 11, 2015 • 6:00 pm Presented by

January Hill, MD Utica Business Park 125 Business Park Drive, Suite 150, Utica, NY The offices of William A. Graber, MD, PC

To register call 315-235-2540 or toll free 877-269-0355

Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica.

The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances.

For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Wednesdays

MVHS begins chapel prayer sessions Mohawk Valley Health System invites patients, residents, families and staff members of all faith traditions to join together in prayerful meditation in regular sessions called Prayerful Pauses.

Prayerful Pauses will be held at 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday of the month in the following rotation: • First Wednesday: St. Marianne Cope Chapel at St. Elizabeth Medical Center • Second Wednesday: St. Luke’s Campus Chapel • Third Wednesday: Faxton Campus Chapel • Fourth Wednesday: St. Luke’s Home Chapel Individuals are welcome to pause and pray or meditate on their own if there is a fifth Wednesday in the month.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and SEMC are affiliates under the MVHS.

Wednesdays/Thursdays

Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings Overeaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 101 (first floor) at Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 James St., Page 2

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

Rome.

It also meets from 7-8 p.m. every Thursday at Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St., Oneida. Participants are asked to use the rear door.

There are no dues, fees, weighins or diets.

For more information, call OA at 315-468-1588 or visit oa.org.

Nov. 3

Dialysis Center offering education program The Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

The program will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

Registration is required as seating is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, program coordinator, at 315-6245635 or cchristi@mvhealthsystem.org.

Nov. 4

MVHS Stroke Support Group to meet On Nov. 4, the Mohawk Valley Health System will host a free stroke support group presentation from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Soggs Room at St. Luke’s Home in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica.

Deacon Paul Lehmann will lead the group in a discussion about the journey of life following a stroke with a focus on the caregivers.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is an affiliate of MVHS and is the area’s only designated primary stroke center.

For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-6365.

Free lectures on living with Alzheimer’s A free educational lecture, with helpful information for those living with or caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease during the middle stage of the disease, will be held at Rome Memorial Hospital from 1-5 p.m. Nov. 4 in the hospital classroom.

Presented by the Alzheimer’s Association, this program is designed to provide caregivers with the knowledge, tools and strategies needed to cope with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or related dementia, including behavior changes, medication management and safety concerns such as home safety, driving and wandering.

To reserve a seat, call the Alzheimer’s Association at 315-617-4025 extension 100.

Diabetes prevention program offered The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program is offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program that focuses on treating pre-diabetes to prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Registration is open for the program that begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 4.

Type 2 diabetes threatens one in three Americans and 90 percent of these individuals don’t even know they’re at risk. At the pre-diabetes stage, blood sugar levels are elevated

Continued on Page 19

Excellus BCBS to offer new health plan Household income, size determine eligibility for affordable health coverage

E

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield in 2016 will offer a new health plan with monthly premiums of zero or $20 a month.

This new Essential Plan is subsidized by New York state and will only be sold to eligible individuals on the NY State of Health marketplace. Each of the Essential Plans offered by the different health insurers will have the same premiums with similar benefits.

“The new Essential Plan is for individuals who don’t qualify for Medicaid and don’t have access to affordable health coverage,” said Lynne Scalzo, vice president of business strategy and administration, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Our goal is to inform eligible individuals that they might be able to purchase affordable health coverage, possibly for the first time.”

Individuals will qualify for the Essential Plan based on household size and income.

Households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level ($17,655 for a household of one; $36,375 for a household of four) will not pay a monthly premium for the plan.

Households between 151 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($23,540 for a household of one; $48,500 for a household of four) will pay a monthly premium of $20 for each adult.

Individuals will have access to low-cost coverage and valuable benefits, including: • Access to a wide selection of doctors and hospitals

Oneida, Herkimer in good

and

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

• Routine preventive care checkups, screenings and immunizations for no copayment • No deductible • Prescription drug coverage • $400 a year toward a fitness facility or individual fitness class reimbursement The federal penalty for going without health insurance will increase in 2016. The penalty in 2016 will be $695 per person, or 2.5 percent of your household income, whichever is greater.

“For those who qualify for an Essential Plan, you can now purchase health insurance for $0 or $20 a month and avoid the financial penalty,” Scalzo said. “The Essential Plan might be a good option for young adults purchasing health insurance for the first time.” NY State of Health will send individuals currently enrolled in the marketplace information about renewing their coverage for 2016.

Eligible individuals who are not currently enrolled in a plan on the marketplace can purchase an Essential Plan for 2016 when the open enrollment period begins on Nov. 1.

The Affordable Care Act gave states the option to establish affordable plans for lower-income individuals who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. New York state chose to offer these plans — called Essential Plans — starting Jan. 1, 2016.

To see if you qualify for the Essential Plan, call Excellus BlueCross BlueShield at 1-888-370-7098 or go toChooseExcellus.com/ZeroOption.

Madison

counties

A monthly newspaper published

by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2015 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Deb Dittner Advertising: Donna Kimbrell Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Alice Davis

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Walk the walk

US Surgeon General launches campaign with national call to action on walking

T

he United States Surgeon General recently issued a call to action to address major public health challenges such as heart disease and diabetes. Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities articulates the health benefits of walking while addressing the fact that many communities unacceptably lack safe and convenient places for individuals to walk or wheelchair roll.

“Walking is the simplest way to add more physical activity into our everyday lives,” said Lawrence E. Armstrong, president of the American College of Sports Medicine.

“Research demonstrates numerous health benefits of walking and healthy eating, and ACSM supports this call to action to create healthier, more active communities in the U.S.” Data consistently show there are safety and accessibility issues that make communities less walkable. A 2013 study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, found that three out of every 10 Americans reported that no sidewalks existed along any streets in their neighborhood. In many communities violence – and the perception of violence – may prove a barrier to walking.

“Everyone deserves to have a safe place to walk or wheelchair roll.

But in too many of our communities, that is not the reality,” said Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th U.S. Surgeon General. “We know that an active lifestyle is critical to achieving good overall health. And walking is a simple, effective and affordable way to build physical activity into our lives.”

MVHS hospitals win Consumer Choice Award

T

he Mohawk Valley Health System hospitals — Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center — were recently named joint winners of a 2015/2016 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation.

The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that healthcare consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Consumer Choice Award celebrating the power of a strong brand image in healthcare.

Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s market insights survey, the largest online consumer healthcare survey in the country.

Page 4

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Nicholas Qandah

Nicholas Qandah, DO, is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon who specializes in both orthopedics and neurosurgery. In August, he joined Mohawk Valley Health System’s Neuro Sciences Group/Neurosurgical Specialists Office, 86 Genesee St., New Hartford, and is the only neurosurgeon in the area. He recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about his career.

Q.: Why did you decide to come to the Mohawk Valley?

A.: I grew up in Michigan, but my wife is from the Upstate area (Schenectady). I see a lot of strong potential for growth here, especially with a new hospital in the future.

Q.: What prompted you to practice medicine and specialize in neurosurgery?

A.: I have a lot of cousins and uncles who are doctors and my wife is an emergency room doctor. But I think it was my experience with medicine when I was a child. I’m a cancer survivor and I got close to neurosurgery at a young age.

Q.: What specific ailments or disorders do you treat?

A.: I trained in neurosurgery at Virginia Tech’s Carilion Clinic, but I also studied orthopedics at the University of Washington. I had dual training and combined two disciplines. I’m able to do nervous system surgery (neurology) and reconstructive bone surgery (orthopedics).

Q.: What are the most common treatments among your patients?

A.: I focus on back and neck pain, back fractures, spinal fractures, broken backs, brain disease, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, herniated discs and arthritis of the back and neck. I do minimally invasive surgery.

Q.: You once authored a paper on depression among the neurosurgeon population. How does an evaluation of depression factor into neurosurgery?

A.: It can predict the outcomes of surgery for the patients based on the patient’s pre-surgery expectations.

It’s very important that the patient’s level of depression is determined before surgical intervention. I think depression in our society is becoming more prevalent. Not every patient is screened for depression, of course, but those who have evidence of it.

We have a neuropsychologist in our practice, Lindsay Bowers, who evaluates patients for depression.

Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A.: Getting the patients to recognize they have access to a spinal specialist here and they don’t have to leave the area for treatment anymore.

We’re talking to the patients’ primary care doctors about sending them to us sooner to educate them on their options so they can have better care management and get them the right

type of care. We can treat patients conservatively. We could change their therapy or find alternatives; for example, recommend chiropractic care, aqua therapy, exercise, or time and rest. We go slow and will not necessarily do surgery. If neurological deficits arise, then we can suggest more aggressive treatment.

Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

A.: Being able to help the patients return to enjoying their lives and

getting them back to their families.

What’s most important to me is seeing good outcomes.

Q.: What are the newest developments in neurosurgery?

A.: We’re seeing more centers of treatment. We’re developing more diagnostic abilities, more minimally invasive techniques that take care of problems sooner and get patients back to living their lives quicker.

Continued on Page 15

Lifelines Birthdate: Feb. 17, 1976 Birthplace: Livonia, Mich.

Current Residence: New Hartford Education: University of Michigan, Bachelor of Science, 1995-2000; Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, doctorate in osteopathic medicine, 2000-2004 Professional Affiliations: American Osteopathic Association; North American Spine Society; American College of Osteopathic Neurological Surgeons Family: Wife, Juleen; children, Lena, 5; Josef, 3, and Zachary, 6 months Hobbies: Watching sports, fishing

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

New era in healthcare approaches MVHS hospital planned for downtown Utica draws controversy

By Patricia J. Malin

M

ohawk Valley Health System’s recent announcement about its proposed new hospital seemed to surprise many Utica-area residents and has left them with many questions and concerns.

MVHS announced recently that its board of directors, after consulting with a variety of agencies over the last few months, voted unanimously to build a new hospital on a 34-acre site in downtown Utica.

The plan received the blessing of Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with other elected officials, but has stirred continuing debate from the public.

Perra A few weeks after its press release, MVHS sent a lengthy email to local media with a five-page attachment about the project titled “Q&A” (questions and answers). Since then, MVHS executives have declined to respond to further inquiries from the media or local citizens.

The new hospital could only come about following the complete merger of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Right now, the two hospitals have an affiliation under the MVHS umbrella in which they are sharing healthcare services and staff and reducing “redundancies” or duplication in certain services.

Eventually if the new hospital is built, both hospitals will be closed.

Inpatient and many outpatient services will be moved to the new facility. The timetable is still uncertain, but in its press release MVHS said the effort to purchase land downtown, to raise funds for construction and to completely integrate two hospitals could take at least four to six years to complete.

Its projected opening won’t come until 2021.The cost of the project has still not been finalized.

“We estimate the project will cost approximately $500 million to $600

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. advocates for a downtown Utica-based healthcare campus. million, depending on the location,” the release said.

A few months ago, Cuomo proposed setting aside millions of dollars for new hospitals in Upstate and downstate New York. Then with a concerted push from both New York Sen. Joe Griffo (R-Rome) and Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica), the state legislature approved $300 million in the state budget to create an integrated healthcare delivery system in Oneida County.

County support shown

During his annual county budget release recently, Picente said the new hospital has a commitment from county and city officials, but he didn’t give an exact figure.

“I believe a state-of-the-art healthcare campus in the heart of downtown Utica will be an economic driver that will continue to revitalize the county seat,” Picente added. “It will clear urban blight and rid the landscape of crumbling infrastructure. I say to Scott Perra and the MVHS board of directors that Oneida County will be a partner in making this campus a reality.”

Perra is the president/CEO of MVHS and was formerly president/ CEO of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.

Robert Scholefield, the former presi-

dent of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, was recently named executive vice president, chief operating officer.

The selected location is a 34-acre site that would border Oriskany Street on the north (opposite the Utica Memorial Auditorium and across from the police station), include Lafayette and Columbia streets, and go as far south as Court Street, bordering City Hall and Kennedy Plaza.

MVHS estimates it will use 17 acres for the new hospital itself, with the remaining half reserved for parking, possibly a parking garage and future expansion.

MVHS admits this location is occupied by several businesses and it has not estimated the “tax impact” of losing these businesses and replacing them with a nonprofit institution.

A group of Utica-area citizens started a Facebook page called #NoHospitalDowntown to protest MVHS’s decision and has more than 400 members. They said they are concerned the new hospital has only 50 percent of its estimated funding and construction would eliminate existing businesses and possibly hurt Utica’s chances for new business development downtown.

After the #NoHospital group made its presence public, it received a request from the mayor to rename the group to UticaHospital.com, although they want to retain their original “mantra” on Facebook, members added.

A single, 19-member board of directors composed of local physicians, business and community leaders governs MVHS. MVHS provides 573 acute care beds, 202 long-term care beds, and over 50 locations (19 for primary care) in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties. MVHS boasts $537 million in revenue and 4,200 full-time equivalent employees, its website states. It has over 25,000 inpatient

admissions and 600,000 outpatient visits annually.

The new hospital will have an estimated 420 inpatient beds. Sources estimate the size will be 900,000 square feet, about twice the size of the hospital at the St. Luke’s campus of FSLH. MVHS officials say they worked with four consulting groups from the Mohawk Valley, Syracuse and elsewhere to identify 12 sites that would accommodate a new hospital.

Potential sites in a five- to 10mile radius from the city of Utica were examined.

The sites were narrowed down to three and the board of directors voted unanimously to choose downtown. If that proposal falls through, however, the board said its second choice would be the current St. Luke’s campus on Champlin Avenue on the Utica-New Hartford border.

“This (state) legislation provides an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to build a new, freestanding hospital for our community,” the board said.” It is truly a game-changer for our region.”

The board also has a master list of criteria that a new site needs to meet including infrastructure (water, sewer and power), access and a good transportation network.

The site also has to have the capacity to fit the hospital operations and associated parking requirements, the board noted.

The board said it has reservations that only half of the estimated cost of the project is readily available. “It is anticipated that MVHS will finance the remaining cost through borrowing, grant opportunities and philanthropy,” according to the board.

Board members say the facilities at the two existing Faxton St. Luke’s campuses and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are outdated and SEMC, especially, is landlocked.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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How to find a better Medicare prescription drug plan Dear Savvy Senior, I recently received a letter from my Medicare drug plan provider notifying me that they are increasing my co-pays next year. I’d like to look for a better plan but could use some guidance. What’s the easiest way to do this?

Need a Change Dear Need, Cost increases and coverage changes are an annual event for many Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Fortunately,

during the open enrollment period (which is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7), you have the ability to shop and compare plans and choose one that better fits your needs and budget. Your new plan will go into effect Jan.1, 2016.

Here are some tips that can help with this process.

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If you have Internet access and are comfortable using a computer, you can easily shop for and compare all Medicare drug plans in your area, and enroll in a new plan online.

Just go to Medicare’s plan finder tool at medicare.gov/find-a-plan, and type in your ZIP code or your personal information, enter in how you currently receive your Medicare coverage, select the drugs you take and their dosages and choose the pharmacies you use. You’ll get a cost comparison breakdown for every plan available in your area so you can compare it to your current plan.

This tool also provides a five-star rating system that evaluates each plan based on past customer service records, and suggests generics or older brand name drugs that can reduce your costs.

It’s also important to keep in mind that when you’re comparing drug plans don’t judge a plan strictly by its monthly premium cost.

Low-premium plans are often associated with higher prescription co-payments and may end up being more expensive. Look at the “estimated annual drug costs” that shows how much you can expect to pay over

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

a year in total out-of-pocket costs, including premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

Also, be sure the plan you’re considering covers all of the drugs you take with no restrictions. Most drug plans today place the drugs they cover into price tiers. A drug placed in a higher tier may require you to get prior authorization or try another medication first before you can use it.

Need Help?

If you need some help choosing a new plan, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free one-onone Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. They also conduct seminars during the open enrollment period at various locations throughout each state. To find the contact information for your local SHIP visit shiptacenter.org or call the eldercare locator at 800-677-1116.

Shrinking Donut Hole

You also need to know that Medicare’s “donut-hole” — the coverage gap in which you must pay out-of-pocket for your drugs — continues to shrink. In 2016, you will get a 55 percent discount on brand-name drugs, and the federal subsidy for generic medications will rise to 42 percent.

The 2016 coverage gap begins when your total drug cost exceeds $3,310 (that includes your share and the insurer’s share of the costs) and ends when your total out-of-pocket costs reach $4,850. After that, your Part D plan usually covers around 95 percent of your remaining drug costs for the year.

Low-Income Assistance

Also, be aware that if you’re income is under $17,655 or $23,895 for married couples living together, and your assets are below $13,640 or $27,250 for married couples not counting your home, car or life insurance policy, you may be eligible for the federal Low Income Subsidy known as “Extra Help” that pays Part D premiums, deductibles and copayments.

For more information or to apply, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Golden Years You can control aging process

Surprising things that make you look, feel older

By Barbara Pierce

W

e can’t avoid aging.

But how well we feel and look as we age depends mostly on us, depends on the choices we make. Some of things we do every day, things that seem perfectly harmless, may make us look and feel older.

Here are some surprising things that experts agree can age you faster: • Watching TV: While you know that spending hours in front of the TV is bad for your waistline, you may not know that it can make you look and feel older.

Sitting and being inactive is one reason. Exercise keeps you looking and feeling young, boosts your mood and leaves you feeling alert.

Researchers found that for every hour you watch TV, you may shorten your life by 22 minutes.

And, while you’re watching TV, your brain is less active than it is when you are sleeping. Watching TV could increase your risk of developing dementia; inactive brains deteriorate faster than active brains.

• Being a slouch: Slouching over and staring down at your tablet, laptop, or cell phone all day wrecks your posture. As well as making you look old, it can cause pain in your neck, arms or hands. “Text neck” is an overuse injury that involves the head, neck and shoulders, caused by looking down at handheld devices.

There’s no way to sugarcoat this: As we reported last month, sitting all day is a killer. While having a job is essential, it can also be one of the biggest causes of premature aging if you must sit all day.

People who sit for long periods of time are more likely to be over-

weight, more likely to be depressed, and more likely to die from any cause than those who have more active jobs.

“If your job requires you to sit most of the day, take frequent breaks,” recommended Diane Jackson, director of outpatient rehabilitation services for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

• Amp up your daily movement quota: Simple things like pacing as you talk on the phone, watering your plants, getting up to chat with a co-worker in person rather than emailing, and taking a short walk at lunch all suffice — just move more often than not.

• Listening to headphones: Listening to loud music through headphones can cause hearing loss.

Listening to music sparingly — for not more than an hour a day and at a moderate volume — probably won’t harm you, but a study has shown that listening to music on headphones for even one hour can temporarily affect your hearing.

Some have suggested that listening at full volume puts you at risk of permanent damage.

• Retiring — Your brain, that is.

Remaining mentally active is probably the key to reducing the decline that comes with aging. Your brain is like a muscle — if you don’t give it regular workouts, it will decline.

Anything that makes you think, judge and plan helps your brain — trying out a new recipe, reading a magazine, making a birdhouse, exploring a new area.

• Taking a class is a great way to keep mentally active: The Mohawk Valley Institute of Learning in Retirement has a large variety of classes.

Herkimer County Community Col-

lege and Utica College offer classes free to seniors.

“We offer classes — in watercolor, pottery, tai chi, meditation, cooking, and other arts,” said Kevin Mihaly, executive director, Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts in Little Falls.

• Limited contact with others: Social interaction — face-to-face, in-person contact — contributes to mental, emotional and physical health. In a nutshell: The more attuned you become to others, the healthier you become.

There’s a lot going on at libraries to be in contact with others. “Our book clubs are well attended,” a New Hartford Library spokesperson said.

“Anyone in the Mohawk Valley can come to any of our activities.” The library also offers canasta, a “Sit and Stitch” and a Lyme disease support group, among other activities.

• Central heating: The central heating systems that many of us use at home and at work can severely dry out skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. To keep your skin

November 2015 •

youthful, turn down the heat and wear more layers.

• Your bed: Sleep too little and you put yourself at risk for a host of health problems. Sleep too much — more than eight or nine hours nightly — and you might shorten your life. And your bed can also stop recovery from injury. Seventy percent of older Americans who fracture their hips die within one year. Why? Because they don’t move.

• Stress: Chronic stress has a big impact on your health in several ways — all bad. Find healthy ways to deal with stress, including real down time, time away from Facebook, Twitter and texting, to recharge your batteries.

Get rapid returns on your advertising dollar!

Call 749-7070!

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Golden Years Tricycle built for health Army veteran takes to the road in effort to fight diabetes

By Patricia J. Malin

I

t was a sunny, mild day in October, but at Richard Peters’ home, it felt like a Christmas morning as he climbed aboard his red tricycle.

Peters is a 75-year-old resident of north Utica. Here he was, testing his almost-new tricycle (yes, a three-wheeler) in his driveway leading temptingly to the quiet city street nearby, Northrup Drive.

“I love going up and around the block,” he told his visitor as his wife, Pat, stood smiling nearby.

Peters has battled diabetes for 30 years and it has contributed to a serious problem with neuropathy, pain, stiffness and swelling in his legs, he said.

Peters is also an Army veteran.

During the Korean War, from 195759, he served in Germany with the 299th Army Corps of Engineers.

Not long ago, one of his local physicians, Marino Selverajah of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford, tried to figure out how to encourage his patient to get more exercise in spite of his disability. The doctor gave Peters a prescription for a five-speed exercise bike.

Although Peters welcomed the prescription and the advice, he didn’t think he could afford to get that kind of bike.

His friend, Howard Welch, provided an alternative. Welch picked up Peters’ tricycle, took it back to his own Welch’s Bike Shop and installed three gears. Then about a week later, Welch played Santa Claus.

Richard Peters, left, shows off his refurbished tricycle recently in north Utica.

Howard Welch, center, upgraded the bike for his friend, who suffers from diabetes.

Peters’ wife Pat is shown enjoying the moment.

“I would have to pay $265 for an exercise bike,” said Peters, smiling at Welch. “How could I not accept a freebie?”

Poor circulation issues

Peters didn’t get a scratch on him during his Army career, but age has

slowed him down. He used to work at the old Doeskin factory, Chicago-Pneumatic and then O.W. Hubbell & Sons Galvanizing, a sign company involved in rust proofing.

Along with diabetes, he has developed venous scacia, a swelling in

his legs that resembles varicose veins.

“The blood in my legs stops flowing and I have a burning pain in my toes,” he said.

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Hallmark Health System, a part of Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford, Mass., diagnoses and treats the entire spectrum of venous disease and vein problems. According to its website, venous problems can be traced to heredity and environmental factors.

Prolonged standing, it said, can create a buildup of pressure in the veins. Pregnant women, too, can incur varicose veins.

“The most common symptom of varicose veins is unsightly bulges which are often painful and result in swelling of the feet and legs along with leg cramps,” the hospital website notes.

Peters needs to wear compression stockings to alleviate the swelling. Riding his tricycle helps promote the circulation in his legs, so he will keep riding his tricycle up and down the street in his neighborhood as long as the weather cooperates. In winter, he uses a sliding machine in his basement.

Welch, a former Utica councilman, said he is willing to provide bicycles for free to other veterans.

Welch already has a history of repairing used bikes and donating them to the Build-A-Bike giveaway, a nonprofit organization in Utica.

Welch’s Bicycle & Ski Shop has locations on Whitesboro Street and on Auburn Avenue.

MVHS Rehab Services bestows honors at Faxton Cup ceremony

R

ehabilitation Services at the Mohawk Valley Health System recently honored Faxton Cup Award winner Jason Robinson and four employees.

Faxton Cup Award

The Faxton Cup Award honors an individual and organization that demonstrates, on a local level, dedication to the enhancement of quality of life, either by setting an example of what people with disabilities can accomplish or on behalf of people with physical disabilities.

Twelve-year-old Jason Robinson was born with spinal segmental dysgenesis, a rare congenital abnormality that affected the development of his spinal cord. As a result, he is unable to walk unassisted and relies on forearm crutches or a wheelchair to ambulate.

Jason, a seventh-grader at Westmoreland Central School, is a member of the honors program and marching band at school, but his activities extend far beyond that.

He’s also a member of a wheelchair track and field team in New Jersey, where he competes in events that Page 8

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range from shot put and discus to relay races.

“Independence has always been key to Jason’s successes,” said Erin Robinson, Jason’s mother. “We don’t treat him differently than our other children. Whatever we expect of them, we expect of Jason. He just might have to find a different way to do it.”

Robinson For as long as he can remember, Jason has watched the Boilermaker Road Race from his aunt’s house and dreamed of “running” it one day.

In 2013, this dream came true when he completed the Boilermaker in a racing wheelchair — one that was purchased through the support of his classmates and local community.

The Robinson family felt so fortunate to be part of a community that helped make Jason’s dream come true that they wanted to pay if

forward.

“The community has done so much for Jason and our family, we wanted to find a way to give back,” recalls Erin.

In 2013, they started the J-Rob Foundation to provide adaptive sporting equipment for children.

Through annual fundraisers like golf and wheelchair basketball tournaments, they have been able to provide eight pieces of equipment to children with similar dreams.

“We never expected the foundation to be this big,” said Jason.

“Our goal was to give away one or two pieces of equipment each year and we’ve been able to double that.

It’s more than we ever could have hoped.”

Jason hopes to one day compete in the Summer Paralympic Games, with a goal of appearing in the 2020 games in Tokyo, Japan.

“Being a Paralympian is no different than being an Olympian — it takes just as much work,” said Erin.

“If that’s his goal, we’ll be there to support him.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

Therapists, caregivers of distinction awards

In honor of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, MVHS honored four members of the rehabilitation services team with awards to acknowledge the difference they make in patient’s lives.

The following employees were honored: Caregiver of Distinction Award: Kim Lee, rehab aide; Jody VanBuskirk, physical therapy aide Therapist of Distinction Award: Dana Gentile and Coral Hunt, occupational therapists For more information about the Faxton Cup Awards or Rehabilitation Services at MVHS, call 315-624-5462 or visit www.faxtonstlukes.com.

Mohawk Valley In Good Health: Your source for health news!

Golden Years Is Alzheimer’s inevitable?

Experts search for ways to protect against this crippling disease

By Barbara Pierce

E

veryone with a brain is at risk for Alzheimer’s.

An epidemic is what many call the increasing numbers of persons who are diagnosed with this devastating disease every day.

“There are more and more people being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” said Katrina Skeval, chief program officer, Alzheimer’s Association, Utica. “One reason is that the baby boomer generation is aging. As one ages, the risk increases.”

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.

Dementia — loss of memory and other mental abilities severe Skeval enough to interfere with daily life — is caused by physical changes in the brain.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive, degenerative disorder in which the brain cells become damaged, causing problems with memory, thinking, and speaking skills, as well as changes in behavior.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s and there are no proven preventions.

“We do not recognize any one way to prevent Alzheimer’s. It can’t be prevented,” Skeval said.

It is a complex disease with multiple risk factors. Some of these risk factors are outside your control. But many others are within your control.

And these factors can be quite powerful when it comes to your brain health.

“There is a relationship between heart healthy and brain healthy,”

explained Skeval. A healthy lifestyle —one that includes a healthy diet, physical activity, appropriate weight, and no smoking — lowers the risk of many chronic diseases and boosts overall health and well being.

There is evidence to suggest that rates of dementia are lower in people who remain as mentally, physically, and socially active as possible.

“I’m terrified of getting it,” said Amy Goyer, online, whose dad and grandmother had Alzheimer’s. The risk increases when family members develop the disease.

“I think it makes sense to do my best to lower my risk and prepare for Alzheimer’s, just in case,” added Goyer. “It’s a huge challenge for me to find time to follow the recommendations, but knowing my risk, I really try.”

Here’s what to do

You may be able to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease or delay the onset with a healthy lifestyle that includes: • Get physical: Study after study finds that physical activity ranks as the most potent Alzheimer’s protection. Dance the night away, take a simple walk, do whatever you enjoy and anything that will get your heart rate up.

Even routine activities such as cleaning and gardening are good as they get you up and moving. Look for small ways to add more movement into your day. Park at the end of the parking lot, take the stairs, carry your own groceries, or pace while talking on your phone.

• Ditch the unhealthy food: You know what they’re talking about.

Slow down on the sugary foods, sodas and fruit juices. Reduce saturated and trans fat and read the labels.

Limit the amount of butter and mar-

garine you add.

Eat more fruits and vegetables and choose whole grains. Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy products and eggs are some of your best sources of protein.

Watch your portions. How much you eat is just as important as what you eat.

• Challenge your brain: Your brain is like a muscle, and if you don’t exercise it, it will shrink. So read a book, watch a documentary or play some puzzle games; just keep your brain working.

Build up “a cognitive reserve,” a buffer against dementia. Anything that makes you think, judge, and plan helps your brain — trying out a new recipe, reading a magazine, making a birdhouse, exploring a new area, taking a class.

• Get enough sleep: New re-

search suggests disrupted sleep is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Most adults need at least eight hours per night.

Get screened for sleep apnea if you’re a snorer. Go to bed and get up at the same time, even if you can’t sleep. Your brain likes routine. Naps can make insomnia worse. Set the mood for sleep by creating a relaxing bedtime ritual.

• Stress management: Stress takes a toll on the brain, makes it shrink, and increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

To minimize the harmful effects of stress, quiet your stress response with deep breathing. Make relaxation a priority, whether it’s a walk in the park, playtime with your dog, yoga, or a soothing bath.

• Make fun a priority: All work and no play are not good for your stress levels or your brain. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.

• Exhibit an active social life. The more connected we are to others, the better our brains. Make developing and maintaining a strong network of friends a priority.

Skeval said speak with a doctor if you notice signs and symptoms of dementia. Figure out the causes.

Alzheimer’s is not a typical part of aging.

The Alzheimer’s Association provides information and support to families and to those living with the disease, emphasized Skeval.

“Most important is our 24-hour hotline, where you can talk with a live individual. Our local number is 315-617-4025, or 800-272-3900.

“It’s such a devastating diagnosis; we’re here to help in any way.

Give us a call,” Skeval said.

10 early signs, symptoms of Alzheimer’s

M

emory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, see a doctor.

1

Memory loss that disrupts daily life One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; increasingly needing to

rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2

Challenges in planning or solving problems Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks.

Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

November 2015 •

4

Confusion with time or place People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and deter-

Continued on Page 15 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

SmartBites

leeks: They’re low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories (about 50 per sliced cup). They rock with manganese (important for energy and bone health) and folate (essential for red blood cell production and fetal development). And, they boast a decent amount of immune-boosting vitamin C.

The skinny on healthy eating

Reach for Nutritious Leeks

O

nce dubbed “poor-man’s asparagus,” leeks are anything but poor when it comes to taste, tears and nutrition. They’re flavorful without being overpowering.

They don’t produce tears with cutting. And — most importantly — they’re loaded with health benefits, much like their well-researched cousins: onions and garlic.

A member of the Allium family of vegetables, leeks are a rich source of allicin, a sulfur-containing compound with multiple merits. Not only is it anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal, but allicin, upon digestion, produces sulfenic acid, a compound that, according to research, neutralizes cell-damaging free radicals faster than any other known compound. Ponce de Leon?

Can you hear me now?

Leeks love hearts. The above-mentioned allicin may reduce cholesterol formation, as well as promote blood vessel elasticity. In addition, leeks’ high concentration of kaempferol, a flavonoid that has re-

Helpful tips

peatedly been shown to help protect our blood vessel linings from damage, can only do a heart good.

Leeks also love bones, with one cup providing a whopping 50 percent of our daily needs for vitamin K. Vitamin K, most well known for its important role in blood clotting, also promotes bone health by assisting in the transport of calcium throughout the body. With the threat of osteoporosis looming in my future, I’m always looking for foods that may reduce bone loss and decrease the risk of bone fractures.

Consuming leeks is good for peepers. They’re a super source of vitamin A, an essential vitamin that helps retinas function under lowlight conditions; and, they serve up generous doses of two valuable nutrients — lutein and zeaxanthin — that may reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

More great reasons to reach for

Look for leeks that have as much white and light green as possible.

Stalks should be firm and crisp; avoid those with wilted or yellowed tops. Select smaller leeks — those with a diameter of 1½ inches or less for better taste. Store unwashed leeks in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Healthy Potato-Leek Soup Adapted from Feastingathome. com Serves 4 3-4 medium leeks (white and light green parts) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 baking potatoes, diced 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried) 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ cup light sour cream Frank’s hot sauce (optional) Garnish: fresh chives, freshly grated cheese, whole wheat croutons • Remove dark leek stems and cut

leeks in half lengthwise. Rinse to remove any dirt. Slice leeks into ¼-inch half rounds.

• Heat oil in medium-sized soup pot over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté 3-4 minutes. Add onion and continue sautéing for five minutes until tender. Add garlic and sauté for two more minutes. (Note: Add a splash of water at any time if vegetables start to burn.)

• Add potatoes, stock and thyme. Bring to a boil, turn heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Add salt and pepper. Using a hand held blender, puree soup until smooth. (Use a potato masher versus a blender if more texture is desired.)

• Stir in sour cream and hot sauce (if using). Top soup with garnish of choice.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

NOT TAKING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS AS DIRECTED?

YOU’RE TAKING

A CHANCE.

If you have a chronic condition like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, taking your prescriptions as directed is essential to healthy living. So remember:

If you’re not taking your prescriptions as directed, you’re taking a chance.

To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com/TakeAsDirected. #TakeAsDirected

Page 10

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Jacquie lost 100 lbs. and found a whole new perspective.

Sitting down for storytime with her students was hard. Getting back up was nearly impossible.

But since Jacquie had weight-loss surgery, she’s found the energy to keep up with her class.

Jacquie also found a compassionate team at Crouse. From trusted surgeons and nutritional experts to an ongoing support group that’s with her every step of the way. Hear Jacquie’s

Upcoming Free Seminars: Nov. 2 • Nov. 19 To register: crouse.org/weightloss 315/472-2464

story at crouse.org/weightloss.

Holiday Season The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Best holiday season ever!!

Here’s how to make it one to remember

H

ard to believe it’s the holiday season once again.

In our busy world, time just seems to fly by which is why it’s so very important to embrace family tradition, take a deep breath, and create a holiday season like no other.

So you want to feel fabulous over the holidays but have no idea where to start?

You know you don’t want to be more overwhelmed in your life. You don’t Dittner want additional stress. You don’t want to gain weight from overeating at parties. You don’t want to lose sleep. You don’t want to stress over finances.

Wow!! That was a bunch of “don’t”.

How about you change that up to more positive statements and say what you really want in your life?

Here are my favorite strategies to a fabulous holiday season: • Intention — Set the intention of what you want the holiday season to look like. Think back to fond childhood memories and what that meant to you.

Reach out to family members a distance away and let them know you’re thinking of them and what they mean to you. Consider a theme for the holiday season that will simplify activities making life less unorganized and creating more meaning as a result.

• Be mindful — To many, the holiday season comes and goes so quickly you don’t know which way is up.

This frantic holiday time creates

additional and unwanted stress.

Remember to remind yourself to be present in the moment even if that means writing “Be Present” on sticky notes and displaying them in places where you know you’ll need the reminder. Allow yourself to slow down, enjoy the holidays and create memories.

• Your best is good enough — Occasionally the holiday season seems to be one big competition.

Who gives the biggest gift? Who gives the most expensive gift? Who makes dozens of cookies for every cookie swap? Who elaborately wraps gifts? Whose house is decorated to the max?

One thing you need to remember is that the holidays are not about gifts and wrappings, decorations and baked goods. It should be about family, tradition and understanding that

your best is absolutely good enough.

• Respect your feelings — The holidays cause sadness and loneliness for many people. Respect the fact that you have feelings.

Take time for yourself, journal your thoughts, and dive into an agenda of health and wellness. If you focus on gratitude and not sorrow, helping others and not just sitting alone at home, you will create a better experience of joy and happiness.

A new year is approaching.

Move on to bigger and better.

• Keep it super simple (KISS) — OK, so you’ve created this to-do list and it’s a mile long. Now what? Cut it in half!

Devoting tons of time and energy creating exhaustion and angst among family and friends is not worth it in the end. Eliminate those things on the list that do not serve you or those

November 2015 •

around you in a loving way. Be spontaneous and simply have fun.

• Feed body, mind and spirit — During the holiday season, it can become difficult to maintain healthy habits including eating clean, physical movement and rest. You’ve worked hard all year to stay healthy.

Now is not the time to fall off your routine of healthy eating, journaling, meditation, yoga, hiking and more. Honor yourself with nutrient-dense foods, proper hydration, going early to bed for 7-9 hours of sleep, and the exercise you love to do.

• Be positive — Humbug, you say? I don’t think so!

When you have negative thoughts, more negativity comes into play due to the type of energy you put out. Negativity breeds more negativity so decide early in the season that you will focus on the beauty and love displayed at this time of year.

By being positive, you will bring more good into the world as a shining star lights up the atmosphere.

And with that, wonderful things will happen.

• Deborah Dittner is a nurse practitioner and health consultant for amateur and professional athletes. If you’re an amateur or professional athlete looking to increase your energy, boost your performance and shorten recovery time, check out www.debdittner.com to learn how.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Kids Health Transplanting Hope Young child receives new kidney thanks to aunt’s kindness

By Patricia J. Malin

P

articipants in the eighth annual Utica Kidney Walk recently had a lot to celebrate as one of their own, 3-year-old Ayden Mosher of Herkimer, underwent a successful kidney transplant in Boston.

The transplant took place on Sept. 17 at Boston Children’s Hospital, just three days before the Kidney Walk in Utica.

Ayden was born on Sept. 6, 2012 with the pediatric form of polycystic kidney disease or autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. His parents, Cindy Davis and Pat Mosher, brought Ayden with them to the Kidney Walks in Utica in 2013 and 2014 as they helped raise funds for kidney research.

Although Ayden has faced many up and down battles in his life, he has proven to be resilient, a feat his mother has documented on Facebook, www.facebook.com/aydenstory, for almost three years.

Last August, following exhaustive tests that occurred over several months, Pat Mosher’s sister, Jamie Osborne of Ohio, was declared the best compatible donor.

Since his transplant, Davis has made daily postings on Ayden’s progress and welcomed prayers, dozens of get-well wishes and donations for the family.

Just hours after his surgery, she wrote, “Ayden’s surgery went great and the new kidney is in and working. Ayden is in the ICU (intensive care unit) being monitored for a few days. Jamie and Ayden are both very sore and tired but did awesome.

Jamie, we will never be able to thank you enough.”

Two days after his surgery, she noted, “Huge step yesterday. Ayden was able to get out of bed and sit in a chair for awhile. It may not look it

but he is doing really good.”

Then on Sept. 22, Davis exclaimed, “Big day today. Ayden was finally able to be moved out of the ICU and into a regular room. All of his IV pain meds have been stopped and he is only taking something oral for pain when needed. Today Ayden was also out of bed and able to stand up and try to take steps with assistance. He did awesome.”

Ayden started to gain weight following his operation. He was scheduled to be released from the hospital on Sept. 28 thanks to good lab results and plenty of physical therapy.

The Mosher family stayed in Boston for a few days so Ayden could be monitored, but they returned home a few days later.

Finally, on Oct. 10, another milestone occurred. Under a photo of a bouncing, little boy with a wide grin on his face, Davis wrote on the Facebook page, “Sometimes it’s the little things. Sending back the dialysis machine today.”

For the first time in his young life, Ayden could walk, run and play without being encumbered by tubes, which even a few months ago could become accidentally snagged and result in an accident.

Financial toll evident

In a previous interview with In Good Health in August, Davis said Children’s Hospital of Boston performs an average of 24 kidney transplants for children each year.

Scott Schurman, a pediatric nephrologist in Syracuse who is Ayden’s physician, recommended Boston due to its success rate.

Davis also posted a note on Facebook about the financial toll of the transplant, both pre- and post-treatment.

“Our family will need to relocate to Boston for around 4 to 6 weeks

and Jamie (Osborne) will need to stay for 10 days,” she said. “Unfortunately these expenses are not covered by insurance.”

Members of Ayden’s family started a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $5,000 from the public.

The timing of the Utica Kidney Walk was also fortuitous.

Nanette Carbone, spokeswoman for the Kidney Foundation of Central New York that is based in Syracuse, said the Utica Kidney Walk was expected to reach its goal of $25,000 because corporate donations and individual pledges were still coming

in.

Although the majority of the funds go to the national organization, the individual chapters can give aid to local families.

“We have a crisis fund and we have an executive committee that looks at the applications,” Carbone said. “We cover 13 counties, so you can understand that there’s a lot of requests.”

(Editor’s note: A previous version of this story gave Ayden’s incorrect birth date and the wrong last name of his aunt, Jamie Osborne. The name of Schurman in Syracuse was also misspelled.)

Could ‘The Martian’s’ scientist survive on potatoes alone?

I

n the movie “The Martian,” the main character, astronaut Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon), is stranded on Mars and must rely on his own super-science knowledge to survive. Because the crew had packed some potatoes for a Thanksgiving celebration, Watney creates a lab “garden” and is able to survive off the potatoes — after calculating how many calories he would need to survive until a rescue mission could arrive.

According to plant scientists from the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), growing potatoes in a lab situation was a very good idea, but bringing along just a few ounces Page 12

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of bean seeds — called Pulses — on the mission would be a better plan to start any emergency garden. “Pulses” is the broad category of edible beans that are a great source of protein and essential minerals. Pinto beans, chickpeas and peas are all examples of Pulses.

“Nutritional diversity is key for survival,” says Roch Gaussoin, a professor at University of Nebraska.

Watney calculates he may need to live for four years before rescue.

“Spuds are great for calories but it’s hard to beat Pulses for nutritional quality,” says Gaussoin. “Both plants would be easy to carry into space and would require minimal space to

grow when compared to many other crops. They are also adaptable to controlled environment production,

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

versus being in the field.” Gaussoin is the current president of CSSA. “Pinto beans would be the perfect nutritional partner with the movie’s potatoes,” says Janice Rueda, a scientist with ADM Edible Bean Specialties. “They’re high in both protein and fiber, as well as many important nutrients like potassium, magnesium and iron.”

In addition, “pinto beans would also have a positive impact on the agricultural production in a challenging environment like Mars. Like all Pulse crops, beans fix nitrogen into the soil and require very little water to grow — especially when compared to other protein sources.”

Between You and Me

What are your ‘sweet spots?’

By Deborah Banikowski

Practical advice for introverts

I

just had a great weekend. I didn’t have to talk to anyone except my partner.

I was in my “sweet spot,” my comfort zone. I got to send emails to connect with people instead of talking to anyone on the phone or in person and I got to read the new novel from my favorite mystery writer.

As an introvert, I’ve learned that my life works best if I accept that’s what I am and work with it.

Nearly half of us are introverts — we look inwards, and are Pierce mostly concerned with our own thoughts and feelings. Other people tire us out. An extrovert, on the other hand, is an outgoing, socially confident person.

Shyness and introversion are not the same. Shyness is the fear of negative judgment, and introversion is a preference for quiet environments.

Shyness is painful; introversion is not. They often overlap.

Barbara Streisand, with an outgoing, larger than life personality, battles a paralyzing case of stage fright. She’s a shy extrovert.

Bill Gates is quiet and bookish, but unfazed by others’ opinions of him — an introvert, not shy.

Shyness and introversion appear to be the same, and there is a bias against both. We put a premium on personality. Fast, articulate speakers are considered more intelligent, and their thoughts and suggestions carry weight, while quiet participants are drowned out by the charisma of the extroverts.

Introversion is considered a second-class trait. Talkative people are rated as smarter, better looking, more desirable. Fast talkers are considered more competent and likeable than slow talkers.

You probably know whether you are an introvert or an extrovert.

If not, there are online tests that will give you the answer.

What you may not know, and some things I didn’t know, I found in a book by Susan Cain called “Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.”

She says the single most important aspect of personality is where we fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum. This influences our choice of a mate and friends; it affects the careers we choose and whether we succeed.

That’s true of me. My husband was the rock star of extroverts; never ran out of things to say, could talk with anybody about anything. I

The Social Ask Security Office

By Barbara Pierce

chose him because he was a good buffer for me. And my career: a counselor, listening to people, helping them through the tough times in their lives. I was a perfect listener. And I was good at helping others. And of course my friends were all talkative.

Can’t think of anything worse than being stuck with someone who is as bad at small talk as I am.

A genetic trait

This doesn’t mean I’m antisocial or dislike people. I really like being with people I feel comfortable with.

Being an introvert doesn’t mean you’re a loner with no friends. It just means that you relate to people in a different way than an extrovert.

It’s in our DNA, explains Cain.

We are born with temperaments that powerfully shape our adult personalities. We can stretch our personality but only to a point. We’re like rubber bands; we are elastic and can stretch ourselves, but only so much.

Probably the most important thing Cain has to say is that introverts are what is called high reactives. When tested as babies, they react strongly to even mild sensory stimulation, like noise or play or someone talking to them. They tend to wave their limbs around and adopt expressive faces in reaction to outside stimuli.

Extroverts, on the other hand, even as babies, stay unresponsive to stimulation. The studies followed these babies into adulthood and retested them to discover if they were introverts or extroverts. The correlation was close — babies who grew into introverts were highly responsive; babies who grew into extroverts needed a lot of stimulation to respond.

This indicates that the central nervous system of an introvert is wound more tightly, sensitive to even small amounts of outside stimulation. This is why they can feel overwhelmed easily, and need to retreat to a quiet, calm place where they can be alone.

On the other hand, activity, people, noise and sensory experience energize extroverts. Their nervous systems are set so that they need a lot of stimulation.

Introverts recharge their batteries by being alone; extroverts need to recharge when they don’t socialize enough.

• Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” or if you have any concerns you would like her to address, contact her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com.

Helping veterans and active duty military members

O

n Veterans Day, the nation honors the men and women who risk their lives to protect our freedom. Social Security honors veterans and active duty members of the military every day by giving them the respect they deserve. A vital part of that is administering the Social Security disability program.

For those who return home with injuries, Social Security is a resource they can turn to. If you know any wounded veterans, please let them know about Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

The Wounded Warriors website answers many commonly asked questions, and shares other useful information about disability benefits, including how veterans can receive expedited processing of disability claims. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

Q&A

Q: I own a small business. How can I verify employees’ Social Security numbers?

A: Employers can use our Social Security Number Verification Service to verify the names and Social Security numbers of current and former employees for wage reporting purposes. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/ssnv.htm.

Q: I can’t seem to find my Social Security card. Do I need to get a replacement?

A: In most cases, knowing your Social Security number is enough.

But, if you do apply for and receive a replacement card, don’t carry that card with you. Keep it with your important papers. For more information about your Social Security card and number, and for information about how to apply for a replacement, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

If you believe you’re the victim of identity theft, read our publication “Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number,” at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs.

Q: What is substantial gainful activity?

A: We use the term “substantial gainful activity,” or “SGA,” to describe a level of work activity and earnings. Work is “substantial” if it

November 2015 •

The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after Oct. 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.

Even active duty military who continue to receive pay while in a hospital or on medical leave should consider applying for disability benefits if they’re unable to work due to a disabling condition. Active duty status and receipt of military pay doesn’t necessarily prevent payment of Social Security disability benefits.

Although a person can’t receive Social Security disability benefits while engaging in substantial work for pay or profit, receipt of military payments should never stop someone from applying for disability benefits from Social Security.

Learn more by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.

Social Security is proud to support the veterans and active duty members of the military. Let these heroes know they can count on us when they need to take advantage of their earned benefits.

involves doing significant physical or mental activities or a combination of both.

If you earn more than a certain amount and are doing productive work, we generally consider that you are engaging in substantial gainful activity. For example, the monthly SGA amount for 2015 is $1,090.

For statutorily blind individuals, that amount is $1,820. You would not be eligible for disability benefits.

You can read more about substantial gainful activity and if your earnings qualify as substantial gainful activity at www.socialsecurity.gov/oact/ cola/sga.html.

Q: What can Social Security do to help me plan for my retirement?

A: Social Security has some great online financial planning tools you can use to make an informed decision about your retirement. Social Security’s online “Retirement Planner” and our online “Retirement Estimator” are both tools you can access at any time. These will let you compute estimates of your future Social Security retirement benefits. They also provide important information on factors affecting retirement benefits, such as military service, household earnings, and federal employment.

You can access our “Retirement Planner” at www.socialsecurity.gov/ retire2. And, you can use the Retirement Estimator at “www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Salute to vets Mental health clinic to open at Veteran’s Outreach Center

By Patricia J. Malin

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pstate Cerebral Palsy and the Veteran’s Outreach Center in downtown Utica are collaborating on ways to offer additional healthcare services to veterans in Central New York.

One of the first projects will be the opening of a mental health clinic at the center, 726 Washington St. Utica Mayor Rob Palmieri announced the new program recently at the Veteran’s Outreach Center.

Palmieri has been involved in initiatives to end veteran’s homelessness in the Utica area, including joining the White House’s Mayor’s Challenge, designed to remove barriers to affordable housing for veterans experiencing chronic homelessness.

The mental health clinic is not yet open, but it is designed to provide confidential counseling.

All referrals to the clinic will be received through the intake coordinator at the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Community Health and Behavioral Services main office, 1427 Genesee St. The new mental health clinic will connect qualified veterans to a variety of additional services including supportive housing assistance, primary care services, emergency housing through the Rapid Engagement Homeless Assistance Team, and care management services provided

by UCP’s sister agency, the Central New York Health Home Network, Inc. In November, UCP and the veteran’s center hope to begin a program of therapeutic horseback riding through The Root Farm.

Seeking to survive

Douglas Gallant, a 63-year-old disabled veteran from Massachusetts, visited the Veteran’s Outreach Center on the day of the mayor’s press conference. Gallant, who uses a scooter to get around, had been homeless

for awhile after arriving in Utica last summer, but found a low-cost apartment near Oneida Square with the assistance of the veteran’s center.

“I came to Utica to look for my sister,” he said. “But when I got here, I found out she had moved.”

He had nowhere else to turn but the veteran’s center and now he expects to make use of its other services, including primary health care.

“I haven’t applied for ObamaCare yet,” he said.

Gallant, who was originally from Montana, said he served with the 11th Marines in Vietnam from 1969-72. He lost his left leg in a mine explosion and was sent home. He is now receiving disability.

“All I could get was $733 a month,” he said, and that had to go toward rent, food and prescription medicine for diabetes and high cholesterol. It was only within the last three years that he needed a wheelchair or scooter. Now the scooter is falling apart.

He recently took a bus trip to the VA Medical Hospital in Albany to inquire about getting another scooter.

“I spent $300 on that trip and when I got there, they told me they gave it to someone else,” a frustrated Gallant said.

He said he continues to suffer pain in his abdomen from his war injuries. On the day he showed up at the veteran’s center, he had just been released from St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. He said he felt chest pains that morning and called an ambulance. When he was released from the hospital, the ambulance company told him he owed $1,000.

Gallant has been assigned a case manager at the Veteran’s Outreach Center.

Tara Costello, vice president of behavioral health services for UCP, said the city of Utica and Oneida County will both offer funding to

Douglas Gallant, who served with the 11th Marines in Vietnam from 1969-72, points to a sign announcing a new mental health program for veterans at the Veterans Outreach Center in Utica.

UCP and the Central New York Health Home Network to provide greater services at the veteran’s center.

“This will allow us to treat (veterans) in a setting where they are most comfortable,” she said.

The new behavioral services component includes mental health screening, suicide counseling, treatment for substance and alcohol abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder

and other forms of depression. “Or just readjusting to life after coming home from combat,” Costello added.

The mental health clinic will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Walk-in appointments will be provided from 1-3 p.m. Mondays.

For more information, call 315798-8869 or 315-798-8868, ext. 245 for an appointment or the UCP offices at 315-724-6907, ext. 2303.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Career opportunity

Researchers predict a shortfall of 130,000 nurses by 2025. There are about 2.8 million active nurses right now. The good news is, while 40 percent of RNs are over 50, the average age (recently peaked at 44) is declining as older nurses leave and younger nurses enter the workforce.

The bad news is the surge in nursing school enrollment in the 2000s has leveled off. Nursing, then, is still a pathway to a steady and good paying job. Nursing jobs at hospitals remain the most competitive, but hospitals typically hold out for experienced nurses as the acuity level of inpatients continues to rise.

Geriatricians needed

As the U.S. population continues Page 14

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to age, there will be an increasing need for these specialists who handle the complex medical problems of seniors. According to an article in Kaiser Health News, we will need 30,000 geriatricians by 2030. Right now, there are only 7,000 of these board certified specialists. The two “keys” to successfully turning out more geriatricians are medical students electing the specialty and hospitals converting existing residency slots to geriatrics. In any event, all physicians (except pediatricians, of course) will have to make adjustments in their modus operandi as their patients age.

Your doctor bill

As of Oct. 1, 2015, physicians are required to include much more diagnostic information and detail when submitting their bill to your insurance company for payment. The old

diagnostic coding system was called ICD9 or International Classification of Diseases version 9. The latest version is ICD10. The number of diagnostic codes jumps from 14,000 under the old system to 69,000-plus under the new. Understandably, there will be some confusion, delays and honest mistakes made as physicians and insurers get used to the incredible amount of extra data required in claims processing. Consequently, you will need to be patient with both your doctor and insurance company as they become acclimated to ICD10. According to Forbes magazine, it is estimated that 25 percent of physicians are not prepared for the transition.

Consumer satisfaction

A study based on 27,000 surveys, published in the American Journal of

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

Medical Quality, found that patient satisfaction was somewhat correlated to the site of service. Physician care and concern had the biggest impact on patient satisfaction in outpatient or office based pediatrics. Nursing care was most important to patient satisfaction in hospital care. Overall personal care had the biggest impact in emergency rooms.

George W. Chapman is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York.

To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

Meet

Your Doctor

Tell-tale signs of Alzheimer’s Disease Continued from Page 9

By Patricia J. Malin

Neurosurgeon zeroes in on arthritis Continued from Page 4

We’re seeing more neurosurgical as well as orthopedic training. We have better diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

Q.: What can the public do in general to take better care of their health and avoid back injuries or arthritis?

A.: We can all get arthritis in our joints — hips, knees, hands, back and neck. The problem is that most of the joints are in the spine and the spinal cord is protecting the nerves.

Those joints are so close to the nerves and can result in spinal compression.

Sometimes you can have knee and hip replacements. We need to try to relieve pain, but arthritis is a part of aging. A healthy lifestyle, weight control and exercise do help.

Q.: What suggestions do you have to improve healthcare or your specialty?

A.: We should take care of our patients as if they were family, treat them like our mothers, our fathers.

Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare?

A.: As the demands of caring for an aging population and as healthcare costs increase, there is more strain on the system. If you work for a large hospital, it’s possible to isolate the patients and save patients who don’t have healthcare coverage.

We need to have a revamping of our healthcare system so everyone has access. Even today with the Afford-

able Care Act, there are still limitations; it’s a work in progress.

We’re lucky to have a multi-specialty practice at MVHS. Multi-specialty practices are becoming more common. If you have one issue, we can refer you to an orthopedic specialist or a pain management doctor.

With the new hospital, the goal is to have all specialties more or less under one roof.

Q.: You have done a lot of research in neurosurgery. Is it possible for a doctor practicing at the local level to suggest changes in healthcare or is it best left to fulltime researchers working at universities or private labs?

A.: I was the director of complex neurosurgical spine training at Virginia Tech and I still contributed to research. I published my latest paper just six months ago. Research is essential in making clinical data available, for example, on treatment of a rare tumor. Research will move us forward and have a socioeconomic benefit on society. There is a need for more research on the patient value and experience. It’s what we call transitional research, going from the lab to the clinical component. I continue to do research and attend presentations. Every time I go to a presentation, I learn something from other sources. If it’s important, you will make time for it.

Q.: What do you do to relax from a stressful job?

A.: Spend time with family and travel.

mining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Vision changes related to cataracts.

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New problems with words in speaking or writing People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.

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Decreased or poor judgment People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in

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the tartar and sometimes have to resort to conventional antibiotics.

But recently, researchers have started looking at natural antibacterial compounds to treat gum disease.

Daniel Grenier and colleagues wanted to see if blueberry polyphenols, which work against foodborne pathogens, could also help fightFusobacterium nucleatum, one of the main species of bacteria associated with periodontitis.

In the lab, the researchers tested extracts from the wild lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., againstF. nucleatum. The polyphenol-rich extracts successfully inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum, as well as its ability to form biofilms. It also blocked a molecular pathway involved in inflammation, a key part of gum disease. The researchers say they’re developing an oral device that could slowly release the extract after deep cleaning to help treat periodontitis.

Withdrawal from work or social activities A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

Changes in mood and personality The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org)

Subscribe to In Good Health

Blueberry extract could help fight gum disease, reduce antibiotic use

um disease is a common condition among adults that occurs when bacteria form biofilms or plaques on teeth, and consequently the gums become inflamed. Some severe cases, called periodontitis, call for antibiotics.

But now scientists have discovered that wild blueberry extract could help prevent dental plaque formation.

Their report in ACS’ “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” could lead to a new therapy for periodontitis and a reduced need for antibiotics.

Many people have had some degree of gum inflammation, or gingivitis, caused by dental plaque.

The gums get red and swollen, and they bleed easily. If left unchecked, the condition can progress to periodontitis. The plaque hardens into tartar, and the infection can spread below the gum line and destroy the tissue supporting the teeth. To treat this condition, dentists scrape off

judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What’s a typical age-related change?

Making a bad decision once in a while.

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Page 15

H ealth News MVHS names executive VP, COO Robert Scholefield has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

He has served as senior vice president of operations for MVHS since March 2014.

In this position, Scholefield is responsible for the operations of the healthcare system, overseeing a number of departments and programs as Scholefield well as working with the executive director and medical director of the MVHS Medical Group.

Prior to the MVHS affiliation, Scholefield served as the chief operating officer at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. He has been employed at SEMC for more than 30 years and was previously assistant director and director of nursing and vice president of nursing.

Scholefield earned his Master of Science in health systems management from the New School for Social Research in Utica and his bachelor’s degree in professional studies from the State University of New York at Utica/Rome. He is a graduate of the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing in Utica.

He is a member of the board of directors of the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and St. Elizabeth Health Support Services. He has also served on the board of the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute.

Vascular surgeon joins MVHS Mario Carrillo, a specialist in vascular surgery, has joined the MVHS Medical Group’s new vascular group office and has admitting privileges at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica He specializes in vascular and endovascular operations.

Prior to joining the MVHS Carrillo Medical Group, Carrillo most recently was affiliated with Surgical Associates of Utica in New Hartford.

He is director of the endovascular and peripheral angiography program at SEMC and medical director of the Utica Vascular Lab. Carrillo earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine on Long Island.

He completed a traditional rotating internship, general surgery residency and served as general surPage 16

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gery chief resident at Saint Barnabas Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City.

He also completed a vascular surgery fellowship at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, N.J. and training at the Arizona Heart Institute in Phoenix, Ariz. and at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

He is board certified in vascular and general surgery.

Physician joins MVHS in south Utica Rebecca LaValley has joined the South Utica Medical Office of the Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group.

LaValley earned her medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

She is a graduate of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center LaValley Family Medicine Residency Program and earned her Bachelor of Science in biology, summa cum laude, from Le Moyne College in Syracuse.

She is board certified in family practice.

Prior to her residency, LaValley served as a respite provider at Exceptional Family Resources and as an emergency medical technician at Eaves Ambulance Service, both in Syracuse.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and SEMC are affiliates under the MVHS.

All invasive cardiac services at SEMC The Mohawk Valley Health System has centralized all invasive cardiac services at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, providing for greater efficiency in the delivery of care and further developing the centers of excellence for the system.

SEMC has always been the center for cardiac surgery and now all cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty procedures will be done there exclusively.

“We are pleased that we can provide all cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty procedures at one centralized location,” said Hugh MacIsaac, cardiac cath lab and interventional cardiology medical director. “This change helps us to further develop SEMC as the MVHS center for cardiac care.”

MVHS works collaboratively with emergency medical service providers in the area to ensure potential heart attack patients present at SEMC. EMS is a partner of MVHS and has protocols aimed at getting a patient’s blocked artery open within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital.

Patients at the St. Luke’s campus requiring a cardiac catheterization will

Recovered addict presents drug prevention message to Proctor students In recognition of September being National Recovery Month, recovered drug addict Chris Herren, center, returned to Central New York to provide a powerful substance abuse prevention message to several hundred students at Proctor High School in Utica. The Insight House prevention group combined with Proctor staff to coordinate the event. Joining Herren are, from left, Insight House staff Juleah Vedder, Jennifer Buono, Jeena Rubas and Paul Vitagliano, Jr. Herren is a former NBA player for the Boston Celtics, author of the book “Basketball Junkie,” and founder of the THP Project Purple, a national initiative that assists individuals and families struggling with addiction. be transferred to SEMC. Non-invasive cardiac testing will continue at the St. Luke’s campus and cardiac rehabilitation will remain at the Faxton campus.

ED medical director receives top award Lingappa Amernath was recently awarded the “ICON of Emergency Medicine Award” by the Emergency Physicians of India at the PACE International Emergency Medicine Conference.

Amernath is the medical director for the emergency department at the St. Luke’s Campus of the Amernath Mohawk Valley Health System.

The award honors Amernath’s contributions over the past 17 years in promoting, lobbying, developing and advancing emergency medicine in India. Recently, the Medical Council of India approved emergency medicine as a specialty with 40 residency positions.

The National Board of Examinations in India also approved it as a new specialty with 80 emergency medicine residency positions in India

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

as of 2015. The first group of emergency medicine residents, which was a collaborative effort between SUNY Upstate Medical University and India, also graduated this summer after a three-year residency at KIMS, Kerala.

Amernath has been the appointed American College of Emergency Physicians ambassador to India for more than four years and is the vice president of the Global Academy of Emergency Medicine.

He served as past president of the American Academy for Emergency Medicine in India. He also serves as clinical assistant professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University and is the chairman of the department of emergency medicine for MVHS at the St. Luke’s Campus.

Family medicine residency names faculty member Joseph M. Di Maria has joined the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program in Utica as a fulltime faculty member.

Di Maria is responsible for resident education in both the inpatient and outpatient family medicine settings and has privileges at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Prior to joining the St. Elizabeth

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16 Family Medicine Residency Program, Di Maria served as medical director at Adams County Correctional Facility in Natchez, Miss., as medical director of urgent care at the Institute for Family Health in Ellenville, and as a staff physician at Family Medical Care of Babylon in Dix Hill.

Di Maria Di Maria earned his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy and his Doctor of Pharmacy at St. John’s University in New York City and his Doctor of Medicine at St. George’s University in Grenada.

He completed his family medicine residency at Atlantic Health System/Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. He earned his Master of Business Administration at Kaplan University and holds a certificate in health information technology from the American College of Physician Executives.

Di Maria is working toward his Master of Science in health informatics at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. and board certification in health informatics.

Prior to his retirement, Mandour practiced urology at Associated Medical Professionals in New Hartford and was a member of the faculty for the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program.

Mandour received his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch Mandour School of Medicine in Maywood, Ill. He is a past president of the Oneida County Medical Society, a member of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center College of Nursing Board of Directors, served on the board of trustees for SEMC and was president of the SEMC medical staff.

He is also a past member of the executive committee and past chairman of the department of surgery at SEMC.

Boonville Family Care welcomes FNP

Lesa Steele has been named nurse manager for the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit and central sterile for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

In this position, Steele maintains clinical and administrative operations for these areas.

Steele has been Steele an employee at FSLH since 2004, serving in maternal child services in various positions, most recently as assistant nurse manager since 2013. Prior to joining FSLH, Steele worked in maternal child services at Little Falls Hospital and in the operating room at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

Steele earned an associate’s degree from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Utica College.

FSHL and SEMC are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Family nurse practitioner Amanda J. Lampman has joined the staff of Boonville Family Care, 13407 state Route 12.

Lampman grew up in the Boonville area and graduated from Adirondack Central School.

Lampman and her husband and son reside in the Boonville area.

“I chose to become a nurse practitioner so I Lampman could provide good quality care to the people in my community,” Lampman said. “I enjoy the rural clinic.

Many people who come to the clinic are people I went to school with or I knew from my past jobs and it’s great to see them all again.”

Lampman received her Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, Utica and her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Utica College/Syracuse University.

She recently completed her Master of Science in nursing and the family nurse practitioner program at SUNY IT, Marcy.

Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Lampman worked as a registered nurse in family practice; as a nursing supervisor and nursing coordinator in long-term care settings; and as a primary care nurse for hospice and palliative care.

Doctor joins FSLH Foundation Board

Make the holiday season miraculous

FSLH names nurse manager

W. Anthony Mandour has been appointed to the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors.

Upstate Cerebral Palsy children are in need of holiday gifts.

UCP has begun its annual Holiday Miracles Project to help supply

MVHS’s 2015 Campaign For Quality celebrates 14th anniversary The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Campaign For Quality recently celebrated its 14th anniversary with nearly 500 physicians, healthcare workers, students and community members from across New York state in attendance. This program held at Hamilton College in Clinton featured national and local experts who presented on current trends in healthcare, patient experiences, population health topics and patient safety initiatives. Taking part in the event are, from left, CFQ speaker Alicia Cole; Angela Belmont, assistant vice president of nursing for the MVHS; CFQ speaker Bobbie Staten; Patricia Roach, senior vice president-chief nursing officer at MVHS; CFQ speaker LeAnn Thieman; and Colette Wilk, director of clinical education at MVHS. needy children receiving agency services with gifts and necessities this holiday season.

Each year, caseworkers identify children who receive services at the agency who are in need of assistance.

Volunteers from the area are then assigned a child, receive a child’s wish list from his or her caseworker, and then purchase items on the list.

Co-workers, families and individuals are invited to participate and help make Holiday Miracles a success, through either sponsoring a child or children, volunteering to shop or wrap gifts or through making a donation.

For more information, or to shop for a child this season, visit upstatecp.org/holiday-miracles-project or call 315-724-6907 ext. 2276.

license through advanced graduate studies at SUNY Cortland.

In addition, he attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s National Institute for Urban School Leaders and Leadership’s “An Ambruso Evolving Vision” summer seminars.

Ambruso previously was the director of human resources, principal of Donovan Middle School and academy principal at Thomas R. Proctor High School with the Utica City School District.

UCP welcomes new administrator

‘On the Go’ transportation program available

Upstate Cerebral Palsy recently welcomed Richard Ambruso as the director of school age education.

In this position, Ambruso is responsible for supervising the Tradewinds Education Center on the Rome campus.

Ambruso earned a master’s degree in education from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and his New York state school district administration

Upstate Cerebral Palsy has recently unveiled “On the Go,” an enhanced affordable transportation program for Oneida County.

A curb-to-curb service, On the Go is taking people wherever they want to go — to work, out to dinner, grocery shopping, or to visit a

November 2015 •

Continued on Page 18

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 17 friend. Working in collaboration with government and community organizations, this program is serving the transportation needs for all populations, allowing people to live as independent as they would like.

With competitive fares, On the Go stands out by providing enhanced, personal and courteous service, paying attention to every small detail.

It is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

More information about On the Go can be found on the website http://www.upstateonthego.org/, by contacting 315-793-7470 or by email at transportation@upstatecp. org.

Employee honored for 25 years of service Herman VanHatten, director of ancillary services, was recently recognized for his 25 years of service to Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

A celebratory breakfast for all employees was held recently in his honor.

As director of ancillary services, VanHatten is VanHatten responsible for the overall operations and administration of the laboratory, radiology and rehabilitation departments.

“His leadership has had a positive impact on customer service and operational efficiency,” said Anne Falchi, chief operating officer.

SDMG selects employee of the quarter Dana Nemeyer has been named employee of the quarter for the 3rd quarter of 2015 at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group PLLC in New Hartford.

Nemeyer began her career with SDMG as a physical therapy receptionist in the rehabilitation department in August of 1993.

“She has been a very dedicated Nemeyer and extremely dependable employee,” said Suzanne Price, director of the rehabilitation department.

Her responsibilities include scheduling patients, answering phone calls, handling insurance authorizations and therapy prescriptions.

“She effectively and efficiently takes on the work load of two employees, multi-tasking to insure that the needs of the rehabilitation department are met,” Price noted.

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Quest Diagnostics opens in Herkimer A new Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center has opened in Herkimer.

The center is located at 316 E. State St., Suite 330.

Hours are from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays. It is closed for lunch from 11 a.m. to noon.

Most insurance plans accepted.

For more information, visit QuestDiagnostics.com.

MVCC secures grant for safety training Reaching out to help those within the Mohawk Valley region to transform their lives through learning has been the vision of Mohawk Valley Community College for nearly 70 years.

Now, the college is able to expand on this work through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Susan Harwood Training Grant, which MVCC was awarded recently.

This $107,182 grant will enable MVCC to educate and train high-risk populations on the topics of workplace violence prevention, workplace safety and health, chemical hazards, and universal reporting.

Through this program, MVCC will reach out and provide worker training free of charge for local employers. In particular, the program will target small business owners, workers in occupations with high injury and fatality rates, and vulnerable workers, including those who are young, have limited English proficiency, and are difficult to reach.

This program will provide training to 500 workers in the region. The program targets workers who meet at least one of the following criteria: minority/hard-to-reach, limited English, low-literacy, or those working for a small business of less than 250 employees. In addition, there are training opportunities for unemployed individuals.

The OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides grants to fund education and training programs or educational material development for workers and employers to help them recognize workplace safety and health hazards, implement injury prevention measures, and inform them of their rights and responsibilities.

The MVCC Harwood program is federally funded through a grant from the OSHA U.S. Department of Labor. To learn more about how to qualify for this free workplace safety training, contact the Center for Corporate and Community Education at 315-792-5300.

New administrator at The Mohawk Homestead A new administrator has taken the reins at The Mohawk Homestead in Mohawk.

Patty Shenberger arrived recently

Charity golf event benefits Insight House initiatives Insight House President and CEO Donna Vitagliano, left, receives a $4,000 donation to the agency from Gregory Gorea, tournament director of The One Charity Golf Classic, an event of UFCW District Union Local 1. The funds will assist Insight House in its adolescent drug prevention programming efforts in area schools. and was greeted by residents and staff at the adult-care facility. “I feel very privileged to be a part of the family at this fine home,” she said.

Shenberger is not new to the field of caring for others. She has 29 years of experience in health care. On her first day of work in her new position, she was given a nametag with the Shenberger wording, “Adult Care at its Finest.”

She said that she has seen these words ring true even in the first few weeks after her arrival.

Dory Aloisio, president of the board of directors for the facility, said she is excited at the possibilities for the future of the home under the leadership of Shenberger.

Aloisio said this is the 120th year of operation for the facility and it is the aim of the board to continue serving the needs of the residents who call it home.

Shenberger said the needs of the residents are always at the forefront whenever decisions are made as to the operation of the adult care home. She said she looks forward to meeting people in the community as well as agency representatives so she can share information about what the home has to offer to the elderly population.

More information about the home and its services is available by contacting Shenberger at 315866-1841 or sending her an email at pshenberger@mohawkhomestead. com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015

Rome Foundation’s ‘Brew Ha Ha’ a success Rome Hospital Foundation’s fifth annual “Brew Ha Ha” took place recently at Woods Valley Ski Area.

More than 300 attendees enjoyed the craft beer tasting event, presented

by Oneida Savings Bank and VNA Homecare.

The event netted more than $19,000 to support Rome Memorial Hospital, which is the largest amount raised in the event’s five-year existence.

The annual gala, the foundation’s premier event, will take place from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Turning Stone Casino & Resort in Verona. Call 315-338-7181 to make reservations.

Cancer support group to meet The Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m.

Nov. 9.

The cancer support forum meets the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s Fireplace Lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

Margaret Celebi, a certified lymphedema therapist-physical therapist at the Rehabilitation Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System, will discuss the role of rehabilitation in cancer survivorship.

The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.

CALENDAR of

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Continued from Page 2 but not so high they can’t be lowered.

Lifestyle changes are the key. By taking practical, everyday steps, patients may reverse pre-diabetes and avoid Type 2 diabetes and associated dangers such as heart attack, stroke, blindness and amputation.

To qualify, you must be at a high risk for diabetes by scoring a nine or greater on a risk assessment test, have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes by your doctor or have a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy). For more information or to register, contact CNY Diabetes at 315-624-5620 or mjenning@mvhealthsystem.org.

Nov. 5

Lecture focuses on living with diabetes Nearly 30 million Americans are living with diabetes.

An important part of managing the disease is protecting your skin.

If you or someone you love is living with diabetes, come learn about how to protect your feet and legs at Rome Memorial Hospital’s free Health Night lecture, set for 5:30 p.m. Nov. 5.

Rome Memorial Hospital Patient and Community Educator Mary Rose Spellicy and Emily Cumber from The Regional Center for Wound Care will present the free program in the hospital’s second-floor classroom.

Health Night is a monthly lecture series sponsored by Rome Memorial Hospital. Advance registration is requested for planning purposes but not required. Refreshments will be served.

Participants are asked to use the hospital’s front entrance. There will be signs directing guests to the classroom.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 337-5309.

Nov. 7

Gamers gear up for ‘Extra Life’ On Nov. 7, gamers registered in Extra Life, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising program, will raise funds and awareness for CMN at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, an affiliate of the Mohawk Valley Health System.

In order to participate in Extra Life, gamers register for the 24-hour fundraiser for free at www.Extra-Life. org, select their local CMN hospital, establish a fundraising goal and seek donations from friends and family.

FSLH is gearing up for Extra Life by hosting Team Phoenix Overdrive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 in the community room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. Phoenix Overdrive consists of numerous avid gamers who have special activities planned to raise funds for CMN including raffles,

game tournaments, game challenges and live streaming of game play throughout the 24 hours.

The Mohawk Valley Community College Strategic Gaming Club will also participate along with Team MVCC. The public is invited to join in from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the information technology building on the MVCC Utica Campus, 1101 Sherman Drive. Those participating can learn new games or play some old favorites and donate to the students who are gaming all day and night for the kids.

The event can be seen live on Twitch by visiting www.twitch.tv/ mvccgaming.

Follow the action at #EXTRALIFE or learn more at www.facebook. com/ExtraLife4Kids and www. twitter.com/ExtraLife4Kids.

Nov. 8

Tickets available for fashion show The annual American Girl Fashion Show, to benefit children’s programs and services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona.

The special day, made possible by lead sponsor Adirondack Bank, includes a doll hair salon, photo opportunities, souvenirs, fashion show and lunch. Girls, mothers, family and friends are encouraged to attend the day of fashion and style while at the same time making a difference in the lives of children at UCP. Tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased online at upstatecp.org or by calling 315-724-6907 ext. 2278.

Advance registration is required.

Nov. 11

and organizations interested in applying for community impact grants.

Eligible 501(c)(3) clubs and organizations have the opportunity to learn about what kinds of projects the community impact grants fund, as well as how applications should be formatted and written.

The workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy, 210 Clinton Road, New Hartford.

Community impact grants help local clubs and organizations start or continue programs that help keep the community healthy. Eligible programs include those that fall under one of these focus areas: Go Red For Women, childhood obesity, Power To End Stroke, or physical inactivity.

Special consideration will also be given to projects improving healthy food access, addressing local food deserts or CPR/AED implementation in the Greater Utica area. Grants are awarded up to $5,000.

Representatives for clubs or organizations interested in attending should contact Tabitha Poplaski at tabitha.poplaski@heart.org. Seating is limited. Reserve your seat by Nov. 11.

Veteran’s Day remembrance run set

ing up with the American Diabetes Association to host a Safe at School workshop for parents of children with diabetes.

The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at SDMG located at 1729 Burrstone Road in New Hartford.

Patty Palladino, an American Diabetes Association Safe at School advocate, will conduct the class.

The class is free and open to the public. To register, call 315-798-1885.

This workshop will give participants the knowledge and tools they need to advocate effectively for adequate care and equal access for children with diabetes in schools.

AHA offers help for organizations The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association is offering a workshop to help clubs

Gunnar Anderson will present “Diabetes Update 2015,” a patient

Health

Arastu

education program, at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group’s New Hartford location at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 in Education Room B. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended and can be completed by calling 315798-1885.

Anderson is board certified in internal medicine as well as endocrinology and metabolism by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Jameel Arastu will join Anderson as a special guest speaker.

Arastu is trained in both adult and pediatric neurology.

Nov. 21

The CNY Veteran’s Outreach Center of Utica will be holding a 5K run through Proctor Park on Veterans Day Nov. 11.

The run will begin and end at the Welshbush Road park entrance.

Registration forms can be downloaded from www.cny.org.

There is a $20 registration fee for all runners. All funds raised will go toward providing meals for veterans and their families in need for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The CNY VOC will also be collecting other items on race day, such as winter coats, hats, gloves, socks, canned and dry goods, frozen turkeys or hams, bottles and cans, unwanted Christmas lights and used or unwanted cell phones.

The center will be open for its annual Veterans Day open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Donors can leave after-hours dropoffs at the front of the center by the café doors.

For more information, call the VOC at 315-765-0975.

‘Safe at School’ workshop Nov. 18 set for parents Diabetes program on November is National Diabetes Month. Slocum-Dickson Medical agenda Group in New Hartford is team-

Anderson

Upstate Cerebral Palsy Art-4-Soup event slated Upstate Cerebral Palsy and Refugee Center Newcomers Group artists will present the Art-4-Soup event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 714 Washington St., Utica.

The event benefits art programs at UCP. Guests can choose a uniquely handcrafted soup bowl and enjoy a meal of soup and bread, along with guitar music by Daniel Vellone.

Suggested donation for bowls including lunch is $15. Contact Susan Macrina for more information at 315-941-4783 or susan.macrina@ upstatecp.org.

Dec. 5

Holiday shopping event slated A clearance Christmas shopping benefit vendor fair will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Utica Maennerchor, 5535 Flanagan Road, Marcy.

Items featured are clearance, closeout or discontinued items that are $10 or less.

For more information, contact Cee at 315-560-6319 or Cee Promotions, P.O. Box 34, Utica, N.Y. 13503.

in good

MV’S HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER

EMPLOYMENT Advertise your health-related services or products and reach your potential customers throughout the Mohawk Valley for as little as $90 a month.

Call 749-7070 for more info.

November 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2015